Old Baiji Tunnel Introduction
To carry out the improvement project for the old Baiji Tunnel and its surrounding environment, the northern entrance of the old Baiji (pedestrian) tunnel (including the restroom and the adjacent path toward the Governor's Office) and the southern entrance will be closed for construction starting April 21, 2025. Are you ready to visit the Baiji Tunnel? First, you need to clarify if it is the new tunnel or the old tunnel! The Taiwan Provincial Highway 7 connects Cihu and Fuxing, which currently has "both old and new coexistence"; the new Baiji Tunnel is currently used as a two-way roadway, while the old tunnel has been transformed into a recreational trail, both tunnels silently witness the historical changes of Baiji for half a century. To understand the origins of Baiji Tunnel, we must first mention the strategic location of the Baiji area; formerly known as Bajie, it was an essential route for early transportation between Daxi and Jiao Ban Mountain. In 1944, the Japanese built a tunnel here that served functions for pedestrian access, air-raid shelters, and evacuation, also serving as a strategic point for Jiao Ban Mountain. The tunnel was interrupted by a landslide in 1957 and only reemerged eight years later, now known as the old Baiji Tunnel. It has a total length of about 343 meters and a width of 4.5 meters, with the southern entrance retaining a sign from the then Provincial Government Chairman Huang Jie reading "Baiji Tunnel, Northern Section of the Cross-Island Road." Due to road requirements, a new two-way driving Baiji Tunnel was constructed. The restored old Baiji Tunnel differs from its past; in addition to being a reinforced concrete structure, it is now accessible to vehicles, but only single-lane traffic was permitted at that time, requiring military police to manage traffic at the tunnel entrance—a memory that many must cherish. In 1993, the new Baiji Tunnel opened to two-way traffic, marking the end of the old tunnel's transport function. After being closed twice, the old Baiji Tunnel was transformed into a tourist trail in 2007. Inside, visitors can see the lightweight railway set up during the Japanese occupation period as well as the "trolley" (also known as "hand cart"), capable of carrying both passengers and goods and allowing users to control speed. Today, the scene of porters sweating while transporting goods is no longer visible; instead, tourists take photos in the trolley to experience the ambiance of the past. The old tunnel connects to the Governor's Office Trail, Baiji Lin Ying Trail, and other ancient pathways, making it an excellent spot for sightseeing.
